|
On the Issues
National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed the construction of a new facility to conduct research on biological threats involving foreign animal diseases. Current research in this field is conducted at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New York, an aging facility that has reached the limits of its capacity. As chairman of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I believe the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) is critical for the protection of agriculture and public health in the United States.
In 2006, DHS solicited proposals from across the country on where the new NBAF facility should be located. In response, a public-private partnership in North Carolina that includes academic researchers, government officials, agricultural groups and private sector stakeholders submitted a proposal to site the NBAF at the NC Department of Agriculture Umstead Research Farm in Granville County. The North Carolina site is among five finalists selected by the Department of Homeland Security last year as possible locations for the NBAF.
My current assessment is that the Granville County site would be a good location for the NBAF, and that our region of North Carolina would reap many economic and agricultural benefits from such a facility. Because stakeholders in each of the potential communities have significant questions and concerns about how the facility will operate, however, it is imperative for DHS to conduct a transparent and open process. At my urging, DHS will be holding “town hall” meetings in the coming weeks in each of the communities where the NBAF facility is being considered. These meetings will allow participants to make comments and ask questions of DHS officials.
In addition, the Department is in the process of conducting an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to determine the suitability of each site, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act. The results of the EIS will be made public and available for discussion in the Spring, followed by public hearings in each of the five communities where the facility could potentially be located. I will be closely examining the EIS and working to ensure that, wherever the NBAF is eventually located, it will operate safely and securely.
For more information about the NBAF, please see this comprehensive fact sheet on the issue. I am committed to ensuring the Department conducts an open selection process that is responsive to the public’s questions and concerns.
|
|
U.S. House of Representatives
2162 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202.225.1784
Fax: 202.225.2014 |
411 W. Chapel Hill Street
NC Mutual Building, 6th Floor
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: 919.688.3004
Fax: 919.688.0940 |
5400 Trinity Road
Suite 205
Raleigh, NC 27607
Phone: 919.859.5999
Fax: 919.859.5998 |
88 Vilcom Center
Suite 140
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone: 919.967.7924
Fax: 919.967.8324 |
|
